Chapter 99

As she spoke, Irene started crying again. Jonathan took a tissue from the table and helplessly wiped Irene’s tears. “Mom, I’m truly thankful for how you’ve raised me. Let me choose who I want to be with. If I can’t even pick my own partner, what’s the point of all my success?”

After saying this, Jonathan walked out. Irene was at a loss.

Cheryl told Teresa she had faked the DNA test, assuring her that Michael’s true parentage remained undisclosed. Teresa asked, “When are you going to have the abortion?”

Cheryl hesitated. “I… I’ll think it over.”

From Cheryl’s tone, Teresa sensed she didn’t truly want an abortion. She thought, What is she thinking? She just graduated from university and is pregnant with some random guy’s baby. She doesn’t even know who the father is! She wondered, She’s not even married yet—does she really plan to keep the baby?

“Cheryl, you’re only 22. Your life is just beginning. Don’t let a baby ruin your future happiness,” Teresa said.

Cheryl was close to tears. “I know, but I’ve read a lot about it—abortion seems terrifying. I’m scared of the pain.”

“These days they have painless abortions, and it won’t hurt. Didn’t I tell you I’d go with you?” Teresa reassured her.

Cheryl said she just needed more time to prepare mentally. Otherwise, as the fetus grows, it becomes harder to remove, Teresa added. Cheryl said she understood.

Teresa hung up, deciding to leave Cheryl to her own decisions. She was an adult and should make her own choices; others could only offer advice.

Chapter 90

“Mommy, mommy.” Michael, munching on pizza, ran to Teresa, wrapping an arm around her neck. “Have a bite of pizza.”

Teresa took a bite from Michael’s hand. He then offered, “Mommy, are you tired? I can give you a shoulder massage.”

Teresa chuckled. “What do you want, Michael?”

Michael asked, “Can I take some pizza to… Lime? We bought so much anyway…”

Teresa shook her head. “Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t go out alone, especially not to see him?”

Michael nodded. “I kind of miss Mr. Lime.”

Teresa remained silent, but a hint of sadness flickered in her eyes. Michael bumped his forehead against Teresa’s. “I was wrong. I love you the most!” Teresa was taken aback, thinking, Who has been teaching him these cheeky lines? Watching Michael’s disappointed back, she felt a pang of sadness. Miriam returned that night, and Teresa was still awake, having just gotten Michael to sleep.

Teresa barely slept, considering whether to tell Jonathan about Michael when Irene suddenly contacted her, requesting a private meeting.

Irene was already waiting at the café below the Teresouth Group building. “Mrs. Lynn,” Teresa greeted politely, setting down her bag and taking a seat. She removed her black fur coat, her sweater and boots complementing her loose hair, enhancing her elegant charm.

Irene, still unused to Teresa’s penchant for dressing up, especially in such flamboyant styles, asked, “Why are you so late?”

“Ten o’clock,” Teresa glanced at her watch. “I’m not late, am I?”

Irene snorted, taking a sip of coffee before saying slowly, “Technically, you and Jonathan have been divorced for quite a while, so I don’t really have much to say to you.”

Teresa frowned, thinking, So why did she ask me to come? She was curious to hear what her former mother-in-law had to say.